Miss Represented

In this engaging conversation, Miss United States 2023, Addison Hadley shares her journey from competing in pageants to becoming a national title holder. She discusses her educational background, the importance of community and support, and her advocacy work on health care issues. The conversation also touches on her travel experiences, personal growth, and the impact of her title on her life. Thr...

In this episode of Miss Represented, host Lisa Opie welcomes Holly Plank, Mrs. Maryland United States, who shares her inspiring journey with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and how it led her to advocate for women's health. Holly discusses her diagnosis, the challenges she faced, and the lifestyle changes she made to improve her health. She emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, and self-ad...

In this special episode of Miss Represented, guest host Rachel Slawson, the director of Miss Grand USA and former Miss Utah USA fills in for Lisa Opie and sits down with the newly crowned Miss Grand USA 2024, Cora Griffen. They discuss the journey of competing in Miss USA, the unique aspects of the Miss Grand USA competition, and share valuable advice for winning the crown. Cora opens up about her...

Summary Victoria, the first Miss World America under Ekta Sani's directorship, shares her experience competing in the Miss World pageant in India. She competed in 13 different categories of competition, including fitness, talent, interview, and evening gown. The pageant did not have a swimsuit competition, which allowed Victoria to focus on working out for her health and feeling stronger. She...

Jada Kelly, Miss Vizcaya Swimwear, joins host Lisa Opie to discuss her experience at Miss Vizcaya Swimwear during Miami Swim Week and her journey in pageantry. Jada shares her excitement about winning the crown and the opportunities that come with it, including billboards in Times Square and a magazine cover shoot. She also talks about her Asian heritage and the influence of her grandmother. Jada...

Jessica Chang shares her journey to becoming a self-made millionaire, starting with her realization in high school that she didn't want a traditional 9-5 job. She pursued a career in real estate and insurance, taking a leap of faith and building successful teams in different locations. Jessica also discusses her decision to go sober and the positive impact it has had on her life. She emphasize...

In this episode, Lisa Opie interviews Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss USA. They discuss Savannah's reign, her experiences, and her plans for the future. Savannah talks about her move from Bali to Miami, her experiences with bullying and harassment on social media, and her focus on mental health and self-love. She also shares her excitement about meeting the new Miss USA delegates and her plans for a...

In this episode, host Lisa Opie interviews Lauren Priscilla Johnson, Miss Mission Georgia USA and owner of Belissima Fiore, a wedding floral design business. They discuss Lauren's entrepreneurial journey, her experience in pageantry, and her advocacy for sustainability through biodiversity. Lauren shares advice for female entrepreneurs and emphasizes the importance of mental health and support...

On this episode of Miss Represented, Miss Earth USA Bea Millan Windorski, shares her journey, experiences, and aspirations. From her late arrival due to a series of mishaps in Miami to her preparation for swim week and international competitions, she discusses her advocacy for climate refugees and her plans for the future. The conversation also delves into her childhood, pageant experiences, and t...

Valentina Rodriguez Zapata discusses her experience with body positivity and the challenges she faced growing up in Miami. She shares her journey of being diagnosed with PCOS and Lipedema and the impact it had on her physical and mental health. Valentina emphasizes the importance of self-education and finding the right specialist who finally diagnosed her conditions. She also highlights the need f...

In this episode, Lisa Opie interviews Jules Corsi, the founder of True Beauty Glam and director of social media at Pageant Planet. They discuss their love for pageants and how they got started in the makeup industry. Jules shares her personal journey of using makeup as a form of therapy and how it helped her through difficult times. They also talk about their favorite makeup clients and the import...

Heather Marie Thompson, former Miss Grand US Virgin Islands, shares her journey in the pageant world, from competing in Miss New York USA to Miss Grand International. She discusses the different areas of competition, the challenges she faced, and the friendships she made along the way. Heather also opens up about her experience of being hit by a truck and the impact it had on her mental health. Sh...

In this conversation, Keyace Sims discusses her journey in pageantry and the challenges she has faced as a performer. She talks about the stigma and stereotypes associated with being an entertainer and the need for inclusivity and empowerment in the pageant industry. Keyace also shares her experience as a coach and the importance of helping others find their voice and passion. She emphasizes the n...

In this conversation, Lisa Opie interviews Ann Pennington. They discuss Ann's journey in pageantry and modeling, her role as the director of Miss New Hampshire and Vermont USA, her charity work, and her passion for fashion and the environment. Ann shares her experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of time management, confidence, and kindness. She also talks about the recent change...

Nicole Petrie, a Sports Illustrated model and advocate for Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD), shares her journey as a caregiver and her experiences in the modeling industry. She discusses how she gained a large online following through TikTok by sharing videos of her daily life as a caregiver for her mother with FTD. Nicole explains the rare form of dementia and the challenges of getting a proper di...

This week on Miss Represented our guest Delaney Milian, Miss Carnival Miami, discusses her career as a neurology rehabilitation technician and her passion for orthopedics. She also talks about her experience in pageants and her advocacy for breast cancer awareness. Delaney shares her goals of making a positive impact and leaving a legacy, and her future plans. Keep up with Delaney: @delaney.milian...

Join your host, Lisa Opie in this week's episode of Miss Represented as she sits down with Lou Schieffelin, a former Miss Florida Teen USA and model. Keep up with Lou: @louschieffelin Thank you to PinkApple Dresses for dressing us for this episode! Production by The Code Creatives Follow @MissRepresentedTalks on social media for inspiring short video highlights from all of our conversations.

In this week's episode of Miss Represented, host Lisa Opie and guest Elizabeth Tran discuss Tran's recent participation in the Asian Model Icon pageant in Malaysia, highlighting Malaysia's diversity and Tran's experience of speaking Cantonese outside her family for the first time. They delve into the importance of representation in pageants and Tran's aim to break stereotypes i...

In this episode of Misrepresented, host Lisa Opie interviews Jada Kelly, a pageant competitor and commercial model. Jada shares her journey in the pageant world, starting from her shy childhood to breaking out of her shell through pageantry. She also discusses her experience in modeling, particularly in Miss Vizcaya Swimwear. Jada talks about her career as a commercial model and her passion for sk...

In this episode, host Lisa Opie interviews Avori, a trailblazing woman in the gaming industry. Avori shares her journey from being a fan of The Hunger Games to becoming a professional gamer and influencer. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in gaming and her advocacy for women in the industry. Avori also talks about her experiences in modeling, reality TV, and entrepreneurship. She...

Gracie Pfaff, founder of Harvest 107, shares her journey from being nominated for Forbes 30 Under 30 to starting a nonprofit organization focused on sustainable agriculture. She discusses the challenges faced by farmers and female farmers in particular, and the impact of her work in Haiti. Gracie also talks about her experience in pageantry and her upcoming participation in Miss Tennessee USA. She...

Miss USA 2023 shares her experiences at New York Fashion Week with Supermodels Unlimited, Miss Universe, and other recent appearances. She discusses the announcement of Miss USA 2024 location and reveals the upcoming Miss USA magazine. Miss USA also talks about her visits to NASA and Disney, as well as her competition style and tips for mental health. She concludes with advice for future Miss USA...

Join Lisa Opie and influencer Dominique Shim as they dish on influencer trips, Instagram challenges, and navigating relationships in Miami. From Miss Vizcaya Swimwear experiences to designing bikinis, the Dominique shares insights into the influencer lifestyle. Discover the challenges of dating in Miami, wedding planning, and the joys of island living. In this fun episode, Lisa and Dominique play...

In this episode, host Lisa Opie sits down with Alexis Lete, Miss Indiana USA 2021, about her experiences in pageantry and the challenges she has faced. They discuss the crazy day she had before filming because of her car troubles, growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, her college experience at George Washington University, and her journey in pageantry, including her top five placement at Miss USA. T...

In this episode, host Lisa interviews Zoe McGrady, a product manager in finance and model. Zoe shares her experiences growing up in Virginia as a mixed-race woman, her childhood dreams of becoming a scientist, and her journey to Duke University. She also discusses her career as a product manager in New York City and her modeling career with Wilhelmina agency. Zoe offers advice for aspiring models...